Richard Wamsat’s Real Estate News & Views

Local market updates, buyer and seller tips, and homeowner resources for Orange County and Irvine.

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What’s Happening with Mortgage Rates, and Where Will They Go from Here?

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 30, 2022

Based on the Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has increased by 1.2% (3.22% to 4.42%) since January of this year. The rate jumped by more than a quarter of a point from just a week ago. Here’s a visual to show how mortgage rate movement throughout 2021 was steady compared to […]

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A Key To Building Wealth Is Homeownership

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 28, 2022

The link between financial security and homeownership is especially important today as inflation rises.  But many people may not realize just how much owning a home contributes to your overall net worth. As Leslie Rouda Smith, President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “Homeownership is rewarding in so many ways and can serve as a vital component in achieving […]

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How an Energy Efficient Home Can Be a Bright Idea [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 25, 2022

Some Highlights With inflation driving up the cost of everyday items, seeking out an energy-efficient home can be a great way to decrease the expenses you can control. Energy efficiency can help lower your utility bills and possibly even save you money on your taxes. Options to look for include efficient appliances, windows, and solar panels. If you’re planning to buy a home this year, […]

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What You Can Expect from the Spring Housing Market

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 24, 2022

As the spring housing market kicks off, you likely want to know what you can expect this season when it comes to buying or selling a house. While there are multiple factors causing some uncertainty, including the conflict overseas, rising inflation, and the first rate increase from the Federal Reserve in over three years — the housing market seems to be relatively immune. Here’s […]

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What You Need To Know if You’re Thinking About Building a Home

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 23, 2022

If you’re ready to move up, you may be trying to decide whether you want to buy a home that’s already on the market or build a new one. And since the supply of homes available for sale today is low, you’re willing to consider either avenue. While home builders are doing everything they can to construct more […]

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The Many Benefits of Homeownership

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 22, 2022

The past two years have taught us the true value of homeownership, especially the stability and the feeling of accomplishment it can provide. But homeownership has so much more to offer. Here’s a look at a few of the non-financial and financial benefits of owning a home. If you’re looking to buy a home today, think […]

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The Average Homeowner Gained More Than $55K in Equity over the Past Year

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 21, 2022

If you’re a current homeowner, you should know your net worth just got a big boost. It comes in the form of rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. Today, you’re building that equity far faster than you may expect – and this gain is great […]

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Spring Cleaning Checklist for Sellers [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 18, 2022

Some Highlights If you’re thinking about selling your house this spring, here are some things you’ll want to tackle before you list. Spend your time on tasks that make it feel inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. To determine the full list of things you’ll want to tackle for your home, you need […]

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Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?

By Richard Wamsat | Mar 17, 2022

For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly new listings going back […]

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